PEOPLE who regularly get fewer than six hours of sleep a night are at significantly increased risk of stroke, a study suggests. Researchers found that those in middle age who skimped on sleep were more likely to suffer stroke symptoms than those who got at least nine hours of shut-eye even if they were a healthy weightand with no family history of stroke. More than 5000 participants, who were between 45 and retirement age, were monitored for three years as part of the US study. Those who slept for fewer than six hours were most likely to experience symptoms such as numbness or weakness down one side of their body, dizziness, loss of vision or a sudden inability to express themselves verbally or in writing. Scientists at the University of Alabama said the impact of sleep deprivation was a major one, even after taking into account age, weight and other risks such as high blood pressure. The participants were divided into five groups according to how many hours a night they slept. They were asked to report their symptoms every six months. Co-author Virginia Howard, a professor of epidemiology, said: "Many people can have these symptoms and not recognize them as a precursor to having a stroke, and perhaps not mention them to their doctor. "Sleeping habits can exacerbate the potential for these symptoms, which are internationally recognized as putting people at extraordinary risk of subsequent stroke." It is already known that sleep apnoea - a breathing problem which produces poor-quality sleep - is linked to strokes. A study of hundreds of thousands of participants by Warwick University also linked lack of sleep to increased incidence of strokes and heart disease. The latest study focuses on the early symptoms of strokes, which are often ignored. Professor Howard's team plans to continue monitoring the participants for several more years. "It will be very interesting to see what the stroke rate is, and whether early detection may have helped," she said. Source: Sam Daily Times
